Division races take shape as teams plot playoff course

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As teams return from the All-Star break, it’s time to adjust some preseason predictions and look ahead to the potential buyers and sellers heading into the non-waiver July trade deadline.

The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox are stuck in last place in the American League East and are closer in record to the AL West’s fourth-place Astros than the AL East’s third-place New York Yankees.

The power, it seems, resides in the AL West with the fortified Oakland Athletics and Mike Trout’s Los Angeles Angels.

Clearly tired of early exits from the playoffs during their Moneyball era, the A’s became trendy World Series picks after they acquired All-Star Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel two weeks ago to bolster the pitching staff. The A’s have the best record in baseball, but they’ll be pushed in the AL West by the Angels, who are only 11/2 games back with the majors’ second-best record.

Ace lefthander Clayton Kershaw has the Angels’ crosstown rival Dodgers just where most experts expected, atop the West standings with the best record in the National League. But the Dodgers will be pushed in the West by the A’s Bay Area rival San Francisco Giants, who are only a game back. Five other teams (Atlanta, Washington, Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati) are within two games of the Dodgers for the NL’s best record.

Plenty of baseball remains to be played before October glory. The sellers and buyers on the trade market may alter the playoff landscape as well as the race for the No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft.

TRADE MARKET

Sellers:

Former Cy Young Award winner David Price of the Rays is the biggest prize on the trade market, and his value rose even more when the Athletics landed Jeff Samardzija on July 4. Infielder Ben Zobrist is another player who will draw interest if Tampa Bay decides to sell, as expected. The 2014 Phillies are reminiscent of the 2010 Astros, but Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley must approve any trades. The Phillies also may consider moving Cliff Lee, Marlon Byrd and Jonathan Papelbon. Boston’s Jon Lester is another starter who will be in demand if he is put on the market, which is possible, considering the odd state off affairs involving his contract talks with the Red Sox. If the Rockies make Troy Tulowitzki available, he could rival Price as the top player on the market.

Buyers:

The Orioles are surprisingly atop the AL East standings, and they’ll surely look to upgrade. The NL Central-leading Brewers need some help if they want to hold off the defending NL champion Cardinals and the Reds, who are only 11/2 games out of first in the division.

IS THE CURSE OF NOLAN REAL?

Jon Daniels and the Rangers’ ownership group wanted more credit for the franchise’s ascent, so they pushed Hall of Famer and franchise legend and CEO Nolan Ryan out the door last winter. Now, the Rangers (38-57) have the worst record in baseball because Daniels’ first offseason moves without Ryan have proved disastrous. Prince Fielder, who was acquired from the Tigers in exchange for Ian Kinsler, had a season-ending neck injury in May. He hit .247 with three home runs and 16 RBIs over 42 games. Shin-Soo Choo, the Rangers’ big free-agent pickup this winter, is hitting .242 with nine home runs and 33 RBIs, making folks in Arlington lament Daniels’ decision to let All-Star Nelson Cruz go. Now the Rangers are stuck with a bloated $136 million payroll for the worst team money can buy.

MVP RACES

After finishing second behind Miguel Cabrera the last two years, Trout appears headed toward his first AL MVP Award. He was named the MVP of the All-Star Game and is hitting .310 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs. Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen (115 hits, .324 average) is making a strong case for another NL MVP Award, but he’ll be pushed by Tulowitzki (.345 and 21 HRs) and Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton (21 HRs, 63 RBIs).

CY YOUNG RACES

Mariners righthander Felix Hernandez (11-2, 2.12 ERA) is the front-runner for the AL award, especially now that Yankees rookie Masahiro Tanaka (12-4, 2.51 ERA) is out with a right elbow injury. Local product Scott Kazmir of the A’s deserves at least some mention with an 11-3 record and 2.38 ERA.

Dodgers lefthander Clayton Kershaw, who is 11-2 with a 1.78 ERA and a no-hitter, is having another superb season for the Dodgers and will be hard to beat in the NL Cy Young race. He has an .846 winning percentage. The Cardinals’ Adam Wainwright (12-4, 1.83 ERA) might push Kershaw.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR RACES

Tanaka appeared to be an early AL favorite, but his injury likely concedes this race to White Sox slugger Jose Abreu, who leads the majors with 29 home runs. George Springer of the Astros is worthy of mention.

Speedy Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton has been fun to watch on the bases, but he has been caught attempting to steal 15 times in 53 attempts. He still might win the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

THE RACE FOR NO. 1 (DRAFT PICK)

After picking first for three consecutive seasons, the Astros will have some stiff competition for the worst record in baseball this year. The Rangers (38-57) have the worst record, but they’ll be pushed by the Diamondbacks (40-56), Astros (40-56), Rockies (40-55), Cubs (40-54), Padres (41-54) and Phillies (42-53). The winner — or shall we say, ultimate loser — may be decided by the team that unloads the most talent at the trade deadline.